On November 21, 2012, Jackson resigned his seat effective immediately. A special election was held to fill his seat. He was succeeded by Robin Kelly (D)[3]

The Justice Department filed fraud and conspiracy charges against Jackson on February 15, 2013, saying that he used about $750,000 in campaign money for personal expenses.[4]

On August 14, 2013, U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson sentenced Jackson to 30 months in prison, following his guilty plea that he engaged in a scheme to spend $750,000 in campaign funds on personal items.[5][6][7]

Biography

The information about this individual is current as of when his or her last campaign ended. See anything that needs updating? Send a correction to our editors

Jackson was born on March 11, 1965, in Greenville, South Carolina. Jackson graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1987 where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. Three years later, he earned a Master of Arts Degree in Theology from the Chicago Theological Seminary, and in 1993, received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Law.[9]

Issues

Political Positions

2012

On his campaign website, Jackson has 5 leading issues that he is concerned about. In comparison, Debbie Halvorson, his Democratic Primary opponent, lists 8 issues. Jackson listed the following issues:[10]

Economy

Excerpt: "In the 2nd Congressional District, the biggest issue is jobs. That's why Congressman Jackson has been fighting to build a third airport in the south suburbs, which would bring jobs and economic development to the Southland."

Excerpt: "Congressman Jackson supported the bill, and believes it should be implemented as passed, so that the promise of health care reform can be fully realized. He also believes that a public option should be considered in the future, and supported such a provision when it was debated in Congress."

Excerpt: "Education is the key to improving the quality of life for millions of Americans who grow up in communities such as the South Side and south suburbs, where economic opportunity is scarce. Congressman Jackson believes that both additional resources and accountability are necessary, so that schools that have been failing can begin to meet higher standards. In addition, Congressman Jackson has proposed a constitutional amendment that would guarantee the right to an education of equal high quality to all Americans."

Excerpt: "Climate change is a real threat to all Americans and to people across the globe. As temperatures rise, lives and livelihoods are at risk. Simply put, we absolutely must reduce our carbon emissions as quickly as possible, and we must convince our counterparts around the globe to do so as well. Congressman Jackson supports a national cap-and-trade system to put a price on carbon."

Excerpt: "In Afghanistan, we must continue to build the government's capacity to effectively govern and secure the country, leading towards the responsible withdrawal of U.S. troops. We must ensure that when we leave, the Taliban and Al Qaeda are unable to return to power and safe harbor there. In the Middle East, Congressman Jackson has been a vocal leader in protecting the security of Israel. In March of 2010, he joined his Republican colleague, Mike Pence of Indiana, in drafting a letter to President Obama that encourages crippling sanctions on Iran in order to prevent them from acquiring nuclear weapons."

Controversy

Auction halted after authenticity comes into question

After the U.S. Marshals Service began an auction in September 2013 to recoup part of the $750,000 in campaign funds Jackson and his wife illegally spent on memorabilia, furs, vacations and other personal items, the entire auction was canceled "out of an abundance of caution" because of questions about an guitar supposedly signed by Michael Jackson and Eddie Van Halen, which prosecutors say Jackson bought with campaign money for $4,000.[11]

"Because new information has come to light, we are taking additional steps to review all the items," said Kim Beal, the acting assistant director for the forfeiture division of the Marshals Service.[11]

Fraud and conspiracy charges

The Justice Department filed fraud and conspiracy charges on February 15, 2013 against Jackson, saying that he used about $750,000 in campaign money for personal expenses.[4] He agreed to plead guilty to the charges.[4][12]

Jackson’s wife, Sandra Stevens, was also charged with one count of filing false tax returns. According to documents relating to the charges, Jackson used the campaign money to buy memorabilia related to Bruce Lee, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Jimi Hendrix, a mink parka, and a Michael Jackson fedora and cashmere capes.[4]

Federal prosecutors pushed for a four-year prison sentence for Jackson after he plead guilty in February 2013.[12] Under the recommendations from the prosecutors he would also have been forced to forfeit the $750,000 he stole from his campaign and pay back another $750,000 to his re-election committee, which would be taken over and run by a non-family member.[12]

Sentenced to prison

On August 14, 2013, U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson sentenced Jackson to 30 months in prison, following his guilty plea that he engaged in a scheme to spend $750,000 in campaign funds on personal items.[5][13][7]

Jackson and his wife, Sandra Stevens Jackson, plead guilty in February 2013 to using about $750,000 in campaign funds to pay for high-end items.[7]

“I misled the American people, I misled the House of Representatives. I was wrong and I do not fault anyone,” Jackson told Judge Amy Berman Jackson at the sentencing.[7]

Judge Amy Berman Jackson said that as a public official Jackson was supposed to live up to a higher standard.[5]

His wife, who also plead guilty to the charges, was sentenced to 12 months. Jackson Jr. will serve his sentence before his wife goes to prison.[14] He will report to prison after November 1, 2013.[14]

Reported to prison

Jackson reported to Butner Correctional Center on October 29, 2013, to serve a 30 month prison sentence. He will serve the sentence in the minimum security facility.[15]

Finance probe

The FBI first initiated a probe in 2012 regarding suspicious activities involving Jackson's finances related to his seat in the 2nd Congressional District, including possible inappropriate expenditures. This investigation coupled with Jackson's continued absence from campaigning caused rumors to fly with no answers being given by staff.[16] Jackson entered a plea deal with the Justice Department which then led him to resign from his congressional seat and he plead guilty to charges of mis-using campaign funds. Jackson was also required to pay back any campaign money which was used for personal use. A special election was held for Jackson's seat after he was forced to resign.[17][12]

Illness

On June 26, 2012 Jackson's office released a statement about Jackson's absence since June 10, 2012.[18] According to the statement, Jackson was on medical leave from Congress and was being treated for exhaustion.[19][18] Following that, SenatorDick Durbin called on Jackson to release further details on his condition.[20] He stated at a Chicago press conference on July 9, "As a public official, there comes a point when you have a responsibility to tell the public what's going on...Mr. Jackson will soon have to make a report on the physical condition he's struggling with."[20]

Jackson was treated for bipolar depression earlier this year and thus missed a number of votes. He missed 178 roll-call votes in 2012, 32% of the total number. It is not known when he plans to return to office.[21]

As a result of his illness, he was not visible during the 2012 campaign for district representative. Some stated that it was likely Jackson would still win the district. Brian Woodworth and Marcus Lewis said they were hopeful that they could garner support from his absence. Jackson's district underwent changes because it was a part of redistricting and even though there are fewer African Americans in the district, that is not expected to be an issue in the 2012 election. Campaign advisers for Jackson stated that he would appear in public again as soon as it was okay with Jackson's doctor. Some residents of the district gave their support to Jackson and said they sympathize with his illness.[22]

Endorsements

2012

The following are endorsements from notable persons and organizations:

Endorsed by

Statement

Nancy Pelosi

"He may be junior in terms of his title in the family, but he is very senior in the amount of respect he commands in the Congress of the United States."[23]

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel

In a statement, the Chicago mayor called Jackson, Jr. a "progressive fighter."[24]

"Time and again, Congressman Jackson has delivered for the residents of the 2nd District in Illinois. Congressman Jackson deserves to go back to Washington, D.C.and help President Obama continue to fight for jobs, economic recovery and everyday Americans."[25]

Campaign tactics and controversies

In early-October 2011, campaign-related e-mails were sent by Jackson's staff members in response to campaign statements made by Democratic Primary opponent Debbie Halvorson. The e-mails, according to reports, were sent from the staff members' government accounts after requests by the media. Allegedly, this violated U.S. House rules that prohibit using government email accounts for campaign or political purposes. According to the House rules maual: "[T]he use of one‘s office desktop computer (including one‘s mail.house.gov e-mail address) to send or receive such communications continues to be prohibited." However, Jackson's spokesperson Kitty Kurth claimed that those emails can be categorized as appropriate because of an exemption allowing press secretaries to "answer occasional questions on political matters."[26]

Jesse Jackson, Jr. stated during his campaign for re-election that he plans on introducing legislation that would turn the Historic Pullman District in Chicago, Illinois into a national park. The Chicago neighborhood is the first planned industrial community in the United States. The potential proposal would allow for a one-to-three year feasibility study to determine if designating the park at certain locations would work. If so, a proposal to Congress would be made to pass a measure to designate it as a national park.[27]

Jackson stated that his Democratic Primary opponent, Debbie Halvorson has not supported President Barack Obama as much as he has. He pointed out that Halvorson voted against the president 88 times while in Congress.[28]

Polls

2012 Election

A poll released by the Halvorson campaign in January 2012 showed the following results between Democratic Primary opponents Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. and Debbie Halvorson.[29]

A second poll was released at the same time, by Lake Research Partners, showing similar results to the previous one.[29]

Neither polls released a margin of error, therefore, the chart shows zero until those numbers are obtained.

Lake Research Partners released another poll on March 13, showing Jackson with a considerable lead over Halvorson.[30]

Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

An October 2012 article in The Daily named Jackson one of the 20 worst candidates in 2012.[31]

Jackson resigned on November 21, 2012 amid health issues and federal investigations. He is quoted in his resignation letter as saying he's "doing my best to address the situation responsibly, cooperate with the investigators, and accept responsibility for my mistakes, for they are my mistakes and mine alone.” A special election was held to fill his vacated seat.[32]

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Jackson is available dating back to 2000. Based on available campaign finance records, Jackson raised a total of $6,244,331 during that time period. This information was last updated on April 5, 2013.[41]

2012

Breakdown of the source of Jackson's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

Jackson won re-election to the U.S. House in 2012. During that election cycle, Jackson's campaign committee raised a total of $1,003,682 and spent $1,063,065.[42] This is less than the average $1.5 million spent by House winners in 2012.[43]

PGI: Net worth

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Jackson's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $114,017 and $486,000. That averages to $300,008, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic representatives in 2011 of $5,107,874. His average calculated net worth[45] increased by 8.50% from 2010.[46]

2010

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Jackson's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $111,015 and $442,000. That averages to $276,507.50, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic representatives in 2010 of $4,465,875.[47]

Congressional staff salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Jackson paid his congressional staff a total of $841,038 in 2011. He ranks 12th on the list of the lowest paid Democratic representative staff salaries and ranks 87th overall of the lowest paid representative staff salaries in 2011. Overall, Illinois ranks 46th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[49]